Aaron Vehling

Wednesday’s men’s basketball game in Zorn Arena gave UW-Eau Claire a chance to gain some momentum going into the WIAC playoffs.

The game also handed the Blugolds’ fans one last chance to see two seniors in action, as it was the final home game for guard Jason Larson and center Andy Witte.

The two departing seniors were the catalysts for the Blugolds against UW-Platteville, leading Eau Claire (16-9, 8-8 WIAC) to a 77-65 victory. The win allowed the Blugolds to enter the postseason with wins in four of their final five games.

Larson scored 17 points to lead four Blugolds in double figures and added a season-high 14 rebounds for his fifth double-double of the season. Witte added 16 points and nine rebounds for the Blugolds.

“I wanted to come out and play as hard as I always do,” Witte said. “I wanted to let the game come to me and get some rebounds.”

Witte and Larson both were taken out of the game with 37 seconds left, giving the crowd a chance to give them a final standing ovation.

“It’s gotten to be such a routine to come in and play here twice a week,” Larson said. “(The ovation was) when it kind of set in that it was the last time I’d be walking off this court.”

With the Blugolds leading by three at halftime, Larson got them going again with two jumpers early in the second half to help stretch the Eau Claire lead to eight.

Later in the half, Larson hit a 3-pointer to start a 16-0 run for Eau Claire. Witte also made a three and added two free throws during the run that stretched Eau Claire’s lead to 22 points at 63-41.

The Pioneers were able to get back in the game near the end, coming within 10 points with less than a minute left. The deficit, however, was too much.

Sophomore Dan Archambault scored 16 points for Eau Claire, making a couple of momentum-building 3-pointers in the second half. Sophomore Casey Drake added 12 points in 20 minutes off of the bench.

But it was the seniors who came up with the biggest moments for Eau Claire. Larson had seven assists in the game, and Witte made a game-high three 3-pointers.

“They played excellent. I can’t ask for anything more from them,” coach Terry Gibbons said. “I love those two kids. They’ve been so important to this team the last four years.”

Witte said that he had a weird feeling as he looked around while walking off the court at the end.

“My five years here went by so fast,” Witte said. “This year especially just flew right by. It will hit me eventually that I’m done.”

The win vaults Eau Claire ahead of Platteville into sixth place in the WIAC.

While Eau Claire’s regular season is over, there is still a full slate of conference games to be played Saturday that will determine Eau Claire’s opponent in the first round of the WIAC playoffs, which begins Tuesday.

Eau Claire could finish anywhere from fifth to seventh in the conference and could play any of three teams in the first round.

The only thing that’s set for sure is that they’ll be going on the road in the first round.

“It doesn’t make a difference to us,” Gibbons said. “We don’t know who we’ll play; we just know we’ll play somewhere. Whoever it is, we’ll come out with both guns a-blazin’.”

Larson and Witte both said the Blugolds are playing their best ball of the season right now, and that they don’t care who their first-round opponent is.

“Just give us a place to play, and we’ll show up,” Witte said. “We’re looking forward to Tuesday.”